New Nurse Practitioners Enhance Health Access in Manitoba Communities

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) has introduced four new nurse practitioners (NPs) to communities across western Manitoba, significantly improving access to health services in rural and First Nations areas. The new practitioners have commenced patient care in locations including Rossburn/Shoal Lake, Melita, Canupawakpa First Nation, the Brandon Minor Injury and Illness Clinic, and the Dauphin Primary Care Outreach Clinic.

This initiative is part of PMH’s ongoing strategy to recruit and retain healthcare professionals, while also expanding the region’s Graduate Nurse Practitioner program. PMH CEO Treena Slate emphasized the importance of fostering local healthcare resources, stating, “By having NPs provide services from base locations across our region, we can maintain the provision of primary care closer to home.”

Uzoma Asagwara, Manitoba’s Health Minister, described the recruitment as a vital investment in patient care and community health. “This is great news for the Westman community,” he noted. “Nurse practitioners are an excellent addition to primary health services, and their unique focus on patient- and client-centred care makes them essential partners in creating healthier communities.”

Growth of Nurse Practitioner Services

PMH also announced the progress of six additional NP students currently in their second year of training, who are expected to join the workforce in fall 2026. Once fully certified, nurse practitioners possess the authority to independently assess, diagnose, prescribe medications, conduct tests, perform minor medical procedures, and refer patients to specialists.

The new practitioners bring a wealth of diverse nursing experience to their communities. In Rossburn and Shoal Lake, Kristen McNabb has begun her role after completing her Master of Nursing in October 2025. With over ten years of experience in general surgery, orthopedics, acute medicine, palliative care, and oncology, she expressed enthusiasm for her new position. “I am excited to provide primary care to rural Manitoba. The communities I am in have been so welcoming,” she said.

Serving both Melita and Canupawakpa First Nation, Stacie Gardiner-Graham has a rich background in healthcare, having begun her career over 20 years ago. After working as a health-care aide, she earned her Bachelor of Nursing in 2007 and felt it was the right moment to further her education as an NP. She looks forward to enhancing her practice and serving residents in the southwest region.

At the Brandon Minor Injury and Illness Clinic, Erin Ryback joins the team with extensive experience in both hospital and community settings. She has spent significant time in the Brandon Emergency Department and more recently worked in public health as a communicable disease coordinator.

In Dauphin, Jolynn Harder brings 11 years of nursing experience, primarily in emergency and outpatient care at Ste. Rose General Hospital. Having started her Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner studies through the University of Manitoba in 2022, she is now transitioning into her new primary care role.

Expanding Healthcare Reach

As of November 2025, PMH employs 31 nurse practitioners across 30 communities, including 11 First Nations. NP services are provided in a variety of settings, such as medical clinics, long-term care facilities, hospital environments, emergency departments, and First Nations health offices. The PMH mobile clinic and the 7th Street Health Access Centre in Brandon also contribute to the accessibility of healthcare services.

Residents seeking a nurse practitioner or family doctor can register through Manitoba’s Family Doctor Finder program by visiting manitoba.ca/familydoctorfinder or calling 1-866-690-8260.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare access in Manitoba’s rural and First Nations communities, ensuring that residents receive the necessary support and care closer to home.